The Phoenix Suns (13-12) and Washington Wizards (4-20) meet tonight at Footprint Center for the first time this season. This contest is the last of Phoenix’s five-game homestand. Both of these teams are really struggling, but the Wizards significantly more than the Suns though. Phoenix enters tonight having lost four of its last five and six of its last eight, while Washington snapped a six-game losing streak last time out agains the Pacers. Before then, the Wizards had lost 15 of their last 16 games. This was supposed to be Bradley Beal’s first time playing against his former team since being traded to Phoenix in June, but Beal sprained his ankle Friday and is reportedly out 2-3 weeks. Landry Shamet (right rib strain), a part of the trade package for Beal), will also miss his return to Phoenix. Josh Okogie (right hip injury) remains out for Phoenix.
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Start Time: 6 p.m. MST
Location:Â Footprint Center
TV Channel: 3TV/AZ Family
Radio:Â Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, La Mejor 106.5 FM
Stream:Â Suns Live (click for more info)
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 17, 2023
Betting Odds
Line: PHX -13.5
O/U:Â 245.5
Injury Report
Phoenix Suns:Â Bradley Beal (right ankle sprain) OUT | Eric Gordon (right lower leg soreness) AVAILABLE | Nassir Little (left knee soreness) AVAILABLE | Josh Okogie (right hip injury) OUT | Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery) OUT
Washington Wizards: Landry Shamet (right rib strain) OUT | Delon Wright (left knee sprain) OUTT | Johnny Davis (left calf strain) OUT
Starters (Projected)
Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkić
Washington Wizards:Â Tyus Jones, Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma, Deni Avdija, Daniel Gafford
Last Time Out
The Phoenix Suns (13-12) fall to the New York Knicks (14-10) 139-122 in another tough loss Friday. The Suns lost their second straight game at home, and it was also their sixth loss in their past eight games. Jalen Brunson propelled the Knicks to the victory scoring a career-high 50 points, while shooting a perfect 12-for-12 from the field in the second half. His play helped New York outscore Phoenix 42-23 in the fourth quarter. After missing 19 of the first 22 games due to a low back strain, Bradley Beal returned to the court earlier this week on Tuesday. However, he exited the game on what appeared to be a really bad fall when he landed on Jusuf Nurkić’s foot after a very tight closeout by Donte DiVincenzo. The Knicks’ 139 points were the most Phoenix has allowed in a game this season, as they shot 60% overall and 59% from three. Kevin Durant led Phoenix with 29 points and six assists. Devin Booker finished with 28 points and nine assists, while Jusuf Nurkić had 21 points and 12 rebounds.
The Washinton Wizards (4-20) put together a fantastic offensive performance Friday against the Indiana Pacers (13-10) to pull off a 137-123 victory and snap their six-game skid. Both Kyle Kuzma (31 points) and Jordan Poole (30 points) scored over 30, while Tyus Jones had his second-career triple-double with 13 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Corey Kispert also chipped in 23 points for the Wizards. Washington shot an incredible 57% from the field and 48% from deep. They will look to continue this hot shooting against the Suns tonight, as Phoenix struggles to find answers defensively lately.
Flashback: Last Meeting (Dec. 28, 2022)
Team Matchup Notes
Here are some stats, notes and everything else to know about the Suns and Wizards before their first matchup of the season (via Suns)
Each team’s stats (via Suns):
Five Keys to Game for Suns
- Don’t underestimate the opponent
- Play sustained basketball, don’t just get hot for short period
- Close out on shooters
- Utilize Kevin Durant more
- Spacing
Preview: Eric Gordon, Nassir Little Available
Suns Will Have Much-Needed Depth Pieces Available against Wizards
Preview: Beal Out/ Injury Report
Last Game: Pressers
Kevin Durant Speaks on Suns Losing to Knicks, Bradley Beal Injury, Jalen Brunson Career Night
Frank Vogel Talks Suns Falling to Knicks, Bradley Beal Injury, Defensive Woes
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
